London – A consortium of partners, led by global trade show organizer Montgomery, announced today the purchase of Expo Center NASREC in Johannesburg, South Africa, nearly four years after it went into liquidation. Montgomery now has a 75% controlling interest in the facility, located 25 minutes from Johannesburg’s International Airport. The largest event held at NASREC is the Electra Mining Show, produced by Specialised Exhibitions, a Montgomery subsidiary. “The future of Electra Mining was a key driving factor behind our initial interest in the survival of the Expo Center,” says Montgomery Chairman Sandy Angus.
The September 2004 event drew more than 37,000 visitors, an increase of roughly 20% over last year, and nearly 600 exhibitors, more than 100 of them new. The show utilized 323,000 net square feet indoors and 90,000 net square feet outside.
The new owners aim to increase occupancy from 20% to 50%. The venue already hosts three of the largest exhibitions in South Africa, Electra Mining, Auto Africa and the Rand Show, an annual consumer event.
General Manager J.P. Venter, says, “I am certain that it is capable, if run on a sustainable basis, of providing its new owners with required returns on their investment during the next few years.”
Reach Sandy Angus, Chairman, Montgomery, at 44 (0) 7886 3080 or sandy.angus@montex.co.uk; Declan Gane, 44(0)20 7886 3052
